Editorial

Continuation of metformin after introduction of insulin in type 2 diabetes

BMJ 2009; 339 doi: 10.1136/bmj.b4227 (Published 9 November 2009)
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b4227

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  1. Adriaan Kooy, internist of vascular medicine
  1. 1Bethesda General Hospital and Bethesda Diabetes Research Centre, 7909 RA Hoogeveen, Netherlands
  1. kooy.a{at}bethesda.nl

    Can prevent weight gain in non-obese patients and potentially improve cardiovascular outcomes

    Metformin is the cornerstone of treatment early in the course of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies also provide evidence for the benefits of metformin when given late in the course of the disease, after the introduction of insulin.1 2 However, because metformin targets insulin resistance in overweight patients, can it be as beneficial in non-obese patients?

    In the linked randomised controlled trial (doi:10.1136/bmj.b4324), Lund and colleagues compare the effects of metformin versus repaglinide in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin.3 They randomised 102 patients (body mass index ≤27 and glycated haemoglobin ≥6.5), after a run-in period with combined repaglinide and metformin, to receive either repaglinide 6 mg plus insulin or metformin 2000 mg plus insulin. Patients had been known to …

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